Modern
Classic SLR Series
Nikon F2 Series Models Film Back
for Nikon F2 Series bodies -
Part II

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Nikon
MF-2 750 Bulk Film
Back

This awesome 2.8 kg "Mighty
Joe Young" bulk film back magazine could well be possibly the LARGEST and
store MOST images in a singular film magazine in any 35mm SLR photographic system
- even until today ! For shooting situations that require more than 250 exposures,
the MF-2 Magazine Back is available. Giving up to 750 exposures at one loading, the
MF-2 utilizes a double cassette film transport system using two MZ-2 film cassettes.

A film cutting knife allows you
to remove partially exposed films mid-roll with no risk of fogging the exposed frames.
Firing speeds are adjustable in four steps (1, 2, 3 or 4 fps) , up to a maximum of
3.8 - 4 fps, using the MF-2's own built-in control panel.

It accept a standard 100 feet
roll of conventioanl film and gives you up to 750 exposures at one loading. Interesting
part is, the film advance is actually driven via a mini motor inside the MF-2 rather
via MD-1 or MD-2. Selection of frame firing rate is control via the control panel
at the back of the magazine. Other noteworthy features are: A remote terminal is
provided which can be connected to receiver of Remote Unit ML-1; an additive frame
counter which also can be reset; the shutter release button has a safety circuit
to prevent accidetal firing and a film end sensor is provided. The MZ-2 750
exposure film cassete which works similarily with MZ-1 to MF-1 has a capaciy to host
100 feet film of bulk film and each has a built-in auxiliary micro-motor to monitor
smooth film transportation.You need not have to make use of the bulk film loader
as the film can be loaded directly into the MZ-2. It even has a built-in film cutter
to allow partial exposed film removed from the back for quick processing if such
situation demands.

This was a special order item
and mainly used it for scientific, industrial processes, sport/actons, survellance
or whatever extended opearation without interuption is essential. But it can also
be preset to stop automatically after a desired number of frames is reached.

Actually, other than it XXXXL
super-king SIZE, Rarity, Pricey and possibly MIGHTY expensive, nothing can be added
in this section - as I have never seen one before myself. So, anything that I said
may not be truthfully interpreted, so , all I can do here for you is just to provide
you with the technical specifications which I have managed to acquire for your cross
references.

Usable camera in combination: Nikon F2, Nikon F2 Photomic, Nikon F2 S, Nikon
F2SB Photomic, F2A or F2AS Photomic with, camera back and in place with Motor Drive
MD-1 or MD-2 attached. Note: MD-3 is NOT usable with this
film back.One charge of film: Up to 750 picture framesLoadable length of film: Up to 100ft (30.5m)Picture taking speed: Picture frames 4 (precisely 3:7), 3, 2 or 1 per second
for successive exposures. Single exposure is also possibleUsable shutter speed: 1/125 - 1/2000 sec. for successive exposures; X setting
(without mirror-up); 1 - 1/2000 sec. and B for single exposureCamera attaching: One-touch lever system. Camera detachable only when the
film feed side O-C knob is set to "Open"Picture frame counter: Additive system, indicating the advance of picture
frames one by one. Can be changed-over to manual operation at any positionFilm-end detecting mechanism: Provided, permitting detection of film end and
stopping operation of Motor DriveFilm cutter: Enable cutting off the film at any position for taking out exposed
length of filmFilm magazine: Double-magazine system adopted. Using Magazine 30FA99LMagazine ejecting lever: Facilitates taking out the magazineRemote control: By using the remote control socket on the rear side of Magazine
BackPower source: AC/DC convertor MA-2 or MA-4 via MC-2 Cord. No battery used.Dimensions: 425mm x 144mm x 129mmWeight: About 2.8kg , without magazine; Magazine weight: about 300g
each

Nikon
MF-3 Rewind Stop
Film Back

The most common
special purpose film back among all film backs designed for Nikon F2 is MF-3. It
is also called "MF-3 Rewind Stop Back". It attaches to the camera
and used in conjunction with Nikon MD-2 Motor Drive.

The motor rewind
stops automatically as soon as the film leader becomes disengaged from the take-up
spool, leaving a two-inch leader of film sticking out of the cassette. Further, the
tiny LED pilot lamp located between the speed selector knob and the rewind lever
glows to indicate that rewinding is complete.Note: The LED pilot lamp will glow each
time during normal film advance.

MF-3 camera
back is very easy to recognized as it has a unique moulded finger grip for positive
camera holding.
However,
MF-3is not compatible with
the MD-1 nor can be used with Nikon MD-3 to provide this function.Why ? because among all the drives designed
for F2, only MD-2 has the electrical contacts at the rear of the drive that will
mate with the protruding section of the film back to provide auto film rewind stop
function during power film rewind. On the other hand, MF-3 does not has power film
rewind and thus, MF-3 is more like a specific dedicated film back for MD-2.

Whether is it
a good idea to leave the film leader out on exposed film roll is a matter of personal
preference but I would advise not to do so without valid reasons as it may cause
confusion to exposed or fresh film rolls. Although the MF-3 is an optional accessory,
ONLY MD-2 motor drive in combination with the MF-3 provides those who do not wish
their film completely rewound into the cartridge with the alternate solution of leaving
the leader protruding.

The MF-3 is just
a special purpose added on film back to the F2 and it works with 36 exposures. However,
there is another specialized Back which has a data superimposition mechanism and also works with
36 exposure film rolls. This film back was sold along with special Nikon F2 DATA
Camera Set.

MF-10
36-Exposures DATA Imprinting Film Back for Nikon F2 DATA Camera Set

The Nikon DATA Camera Set was a made-to-order unit and remained as one of the most
scarce in number amomg all Nikon F2 bodies. It has two versions, diffferenciate
by its capacity of 36 exposure or 250 bulk films. The complete setup comprises of
a Nikon F2 camera with appropriate metered prism and a Type-S focusing screen and
a removable mask inside the camera; a Motor Drive Unit of either MD-1 or MD-2 with
power pack MB-1 and the Data Film Back of either 36-exposures MF-10 or 250-exposures
MF-11. Both of the Data Back incorpoated with built-in Data Imprinting mechanism
which even permits hand written notes onto the tiny masking area so as to exposure
onto film during exposure. Both Backs has a cord that plug-into the PC terminal just
as flash unit to activate (similar to older MF-12
Data back
for Nikon FM & Nikon FE series SLR bodies).

In
memory of my friend Com.
Augusto Staut,
Brazil, 1971-2000.Credit: ChuckHester, US for his patience, encouragement
and help to setup the various content in this site;RobertJohnson for some of his original
images on the F2H-MD appeared in this site; my ex-staff, KiaSu for his superb
3-D logo appeared in this Nikon F2 site;Marc Vorgers from Holland who
generously provide me with some of his images of F2AS; MCLau®, who has so much time with me to
re-edit the content in this site and not to mention buying a Nikon Coolpix 990 just
for this site. KeatPhoto,
Kuala Lumpur for providing
their Nikon F2A to take some images for this site; again, Mr EdwardNgoh the
great camera collector who provides us his collection of F2AS with MD-2; hawkeye.photographic.com
for their images on the Speed Magny film backs;SeanCranor for his image
on Nikon F2 25th Anniversary Model; TedWengelaar®,Hollandfor his continuous
flow of input on some of the early Nikon bodies; CYLeow® , photo editor of the Star
newspaper, Malaysia for some of his images used in this site. Ms Rissa Chan, Sales manager from
Shriro Malaysia who has helped to provide some of the very useful input. HiuraShinsaku®,
Nikomat ML, Japan for some of his images on various F2 models; my staff, Wati, Maisa, Mai and my nephew, EEWyn®, who volunteered and helping me
did so many of the film scanning works. Contributing photographers or resellers:
Jen Siow, Foo KokKin, Arthur Teng, Mark Fallander,John
Ishii, EdHassel, YoonKiKim, Jean-Louis, M.Dugentas (Dell Corner.com.), Mr "Arsenall" and a few images mailed
in from surfers with no appropriate reference to their origin. Dedicated to KU Yeo, just to express our mutual regrets over the outcome of
a recent corporate event. Made with aPowerMac, broadcast with a Redhat Linux powered server.